Thursday, September 27, 2007

BackgroundChristianitySt. AugustineThe ReformationFive SolasSynod of DortDistinctivesFive Points (TULIP)Covenant TheologyRegulative principleDocumentsCalvin's InstitutesConfessions of faithGeneva BibleInfluencesTheodore BezaJohn KnoxJonathan EdwardsPrinceton theologiansChurchesReformedPresbyterianCongregationalistReformed BaptistPeoplesAfrikaner CalvinistsHuguenotsPilgrimsPuritansScots The Reformed churches are a group of ChristianProtestantdenominations historically related by a similar Calvinist system of doctrine, which first arose especially in the Swiss Reformation led by Huldrych Zwingli, but soon afterward appeared in nations throughout Western Europe. Each nation in which the Reformed movement was originally established had its own church government. Several of these local churches have expanded to worldwide denominations and most have experienced splits into multiple denominations. Commitment to teaching the original Calvinism usually continues to be reflected in their official definitions of doctrine, but in some cases is no longer necessarily typical of these churches. A 1999 survey found 746 Reformed denominations worldwide. History Reformed doctrine is expressed in various creeds. A few creeds are shared by many denominations. Different denominations use different creeds, usually based on historical reasons. Some of the creeds still commonly in use are (with year of writing): The Three forms of unity are common among Reformed churches with origins in the European continent (especially those in the Netherlands). The Westminster Standards have a similarly common use, among Reformed churches (known commonly as the Presbyterian churches) with origins in the British Isles. More recent confessions and creeds are shared by fewer denominations.French Confession (1559),Scots Confession (1560), Three forms of Unity